Bell’s palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and gets worse within 48 hours. This condition is caused by damage to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) and pain and discomfort usually occur on one side of the face or head, according to what was mentioned Johns Hopkins University website.
Bell’s palsy can affect anyone of any age, and it most often occurs in pregnant women and people who have diabetes, the flu, a cold, or another upper respiratory illness.
Bell’s palsy affects both men and women. It is less common before age 15 or after age 60.
Bell’s palsy is not a permanent condition, but it does go away in rare cases. Currently, there is no known cure for Bell’s palsy. However, recovery usually begins two weeks to six months from the onset of symptoms. Most people with Bell’s palsy regain full facial strength and expression.
What causes Bell’s Palsy?
The cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown. It’s thought to be due to inflammation that the body’s immune system directs against the nerve that controls facial movement. Bell’s palsy is sometimes associated with:
-diabetic
-high blood pressure
-infection
-toxin
Lyme disease
Guillain-Barre syndrome
-myasthenia gravis
-Multiple Sclerosis
Infection, especially after a viral infection with the herpes simplex virus
What are the symptoms of Bell’s palsy?
These are the most common symptoms of Bell’s Palsy:
A disorder in the movement of the muscles that control facial expressions, such as smiling, squinting, blinking, or closing the eyelid
Loss of feeling in the face
-Headache
-rupture
– drooling
Loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue
Hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear (hearing hypersensitivity)
Inability to close the eye on the affected side of the face
Bell’s palsy symptoms may look like other conditions or medical problems.
